Elderly brew new links

An elderly volunteer make coffee at the Lehuo Old Friends Cafe in Wan'an Community. [Photo/Yao Tiecheng]

Located in Wan'an Community, Ningbo, the Lehuo Old Friends Cafe is a quaint establishment where a spry team of seniors serves up warm brews, embodying Ningbo's push for graceful aging. Dubbed Ningbo's "oldest" cafe by netizens, it's more than just a coffee spot.

Behind its vintage charm lies an innovative approach to addressing the issues facing the city's elderly, which constitute over 28 percent of its total population. Ningbo launched the Lehuo Initiative to foster avenues for seniors to contribute to societal development through charity funds, with the Lehuo Old Friends Cafe being one of 17 standout projects.

Gong Nongdi, a 75-year-old retiree, eagerly joined the ranks of elderly baristas when Wanan Community transformed a reading room into a book cafe. She even convinced her friends to sign up. From novice baristas to pros, they underwent rigorous training and self-study, driven by their passion for coffee.

The cafe contributes to the Wan'an Common Prosperity Fund, where sales flow into community development and operational costs. Since opening in March, the fund has swelled to over 20,000 yuan ($2,750).

Beyond brewing, Gong and her companions repurpose coffee grounds as fertilizer for a nearby community garden, a transformed 1,000-square-meter plot divided into 68 shared gardens. Volunteering at the cafe earns residents points redeemable for gardening privileges, fostering a sense of ownership and community. The garden's produce, in turn, contributes to the fund, creating a virtuous cycle.

The cafe is more than a coffee haven; it's a testament to Wan'an's innovative community governance, where over a quarter of its 5,100 residents are seniors. With 12 community charity projects engaging over 600 residents through a blend of government investment, corporate partnerships, social participation, and resident donations, Wan'an has crafted a blueprint for aging gracefully and actively.